Clip for supporting the u-shaped



Aug. 3, 1954 Filed Sept. 5, 1950 A. V. HANDREN, JR. ET AL CLIP FOR SUPPORTING THE U-SHAPED ENDS OF SINUOUS SPRING STRIPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8- 3, 1954 A. v. HANDREN, JR.. ETAL 2,685,330

CLIP FOR SUPPORTING THE U-SHAPED ENDS OF SINUOUS SPRING STRIPS Filed Sept. 5, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4? 8 I I I I l I Ffi 1 I INVENTOR5. 17/?5230 Hand/e21, -77? Patented Aug. 3, 1954 CLIP FOR SUPPORTING THE U-SHAPED ENDS OF SINUOUS SPRING STRIPS Arthur V. Handren, Jr., Birmingham, and Harold A. Vogel, Detroit, Mich., assignors to No-Sag Spring Company, Warren Township, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application September 5, 1950, Serial No. 183,157

Claims. (Cl. 155-179) This invention relates to spring supporting clips, and more particularly to a supporting clip attachable to a frame element, and designed to fulcrum a spring strip in a manner to support the spring strip under tension in a high are relative to the frame element.

The various forms of supporting clips forming the subject matter of this invention are especially designed for use in connection with a sinuous type of spring strip, as for instance, a spring made of wire bent back and forth to provide open opposite loops usually connected by straight portions.

The supporting clips of the present invention are adapted for attachment to the frame of a seat, couch, davenport or the like and are designed to fulcrum the end of the spring strip above or spaced from the plane of the frame to produce a high arc in the spring strip adjacent the fulcrum point thereof.

An important object of this invention is to produce spring supporting clips of the character described which may be readily attached to the seat frame to project beyond the plane thereof and to which the end of a spring strip may be quickly and easily secured in such a manner as to stress the spring strip so that a predetermined desirable contour is obtained when the spring is loaded or unloaded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spring supporting clip which is transversely rigid but capable of flexing longitudinally to permit the attached spring end to adjust itself to loaded conditions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a clip which will support the end of the spring strip a predetermined distance from the plane of the frame element and at the same time prevent lateral tilting movement thereof; to provide a fulcrum for the spring in predetermined spaced relation to the frame, and to provide a spring supporting clip which is simple in construction and economical of manufacture.

The various objects, advantages, and novel details of construction of the invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a frame having a spring strip mounted thereon by a clip of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clip for supporting a spring strip embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a frame and clip of the type shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another form of clip adapted for attachment to an angle iron frame;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the form of construction shown in Fig. 4

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of still another form of supporting clip;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of frame, showing a further form of resilient supporting clip;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged broken plan view of the clip illustrated in Fig. '7; and

Fig. 9 is an exploded View of the clip illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. I

In the drawing the reference character it indicates a spring of the general type for which the supporting clips of this invention are particularly designed. These springs are made of wire bent back and forth to produce oppositely disposed adjacent loops ii joined by straight portions i2 and are formed on an arc of small radius so that when the ends are extended and secured to a frame, resistance is provided against downward deflection. These springs, when mounted, assume a uniform arcuate shape across the frame so the desirable contour is obtained either when the seat is occupied or unoccupied. With the clips of the present invention, which may be used at one or both ends of the spring, the spring strip is supported and stressed so that the desired contour is obtained both when the spring is loaded and unloaded.

In Fig. 1, the spring strip I0 is illustrated as being secured to front and rear frame elements [3 and M respectively; at the forward end by a clip Iii constructed in accordance with this invention, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and at the rearward end by a known clip.

The clip i5, illustrated more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, is made from strip metal and is shaped to provide a main web or base portion ll terminating on one edge in an angularly directed or downwardly extending flange It adapted to engage a face of the frame element is to locate and properly position the clip on the frame element. Both the base portion l! and the flange i8 may be apertured to receive fastening elements 59 for securing the clip in place.

Connected to the web or base portion ll, opposite to the flange i8, is a return-bent or U-shaped portion 20, terminating in a straight or fiat area 2!. The portion 29 is capable of bending slightly under pressure to provide longitudinal flexibility or resiliency to the clip.

Extending substantially perpendicularly from the area 2!, the clip is formed with a spacing web In attaching the springstripotoi therclip .rthe

straight portion l2 thereof next adjacent the terminal straight portion is engaged in the seconds:

U-shaped portion 23 and the terminal straight portion rests on the shoulder formed:by.the-flat area 2| and in the recess 25 formed'byrth'eiunc ture of the flat are-a 2| and th'edegf 22;. The. endsof the spring strip is thus fulcrumedinrthe second U-shaped portion 23 and pivotalainovementbea yond a fixed point is prevented by engagement of the terminal straight portion-inethe-recesst25.-

This nonpivotal support for the end ofthe spring strip places the same under tension and stresses.

the strip so that a predetermined desirable contour is obtained both in:the.10aded=and unloaded conditions ofthe spring.

By anchoring the spring end above the plane...

of the frame by clipsproduced .insaccordance' with this invention a high arcin the :spring strip 1 is obtained. If the spring strip.= is;.attached at its forward end by one of the clipsof this invention and at its rearward end=bya standardclip, permitting pivotal movement,- thespring, when unloaded, will assume substantially the contour with a main web or base portion 4i terminating at one edge in an angularly directed or downwardly extending flange 42 adapted to engage a face of the frame element to locate and position the clip on the frame. Both the base portion 4| and the flange d2 may be'apertured to receive fastening. elements 43 for. securing theclip in place.

Extending substantially perpendicularly from the base portion M is a spacing web or leg 44 which terminates atits free end in a return-bent or'U-shaped spring-receiving portion 45. In attaching the spring strip to the clip, a straight portion of thespring is fulcrumed in the U- .shaped'portion 5, and the terminal straight portion-ofthespring engages the face of the frame element 40 providing a nonpivotal connection which tensions the spring strip and resists deflectionthereof adjacent to the point of attachment. Y

Referring to Figs. '7, 8 and 9, a further form of resilient strip is illustrated that wherein a separate spring element is-employed with a nonresilient clip portion. The clip portion 4'! has a illustrated by full lines ':A in Figs-1. Under load the spring will assume substantially .the contour illustrated by dotted lines B. If the. high are nonpivotal clips of this invention. areemployed at both endsof .the spring,.the.spring,; .when

unloaded, will assume substantiallyv the contour illustrated by dot and-dash lines C...

The engagement of the .terminalaportions of the spring strip with the U-shaped-portion Z3,

area 2i and recess 25 ofthe clipnot only .provides a nonpivotal anchorage forthe springwhich re-.

s'ists deflection of thesamebut/afiords-sufflcient K contact between the'spring and clip: to prevent.

lateral tilting of. the spring strip.,The longitudi-v nal resiliency provided by the-.U-shapedportion 2! permits theattached spring end-to adjust itself within limits to loaded conditions.v

In Figs. 4 and 5 a supporting.clipiofthis type In I.

is illustratedfor use with angle ironframes. this form of construction the clip is formed-with a main web or base portion terminatingat one edge in an angularly'directed or downwardly extending flange 3|. The base portion:30 extends through a slot 32 in the angle iron.frame-mem-.- ber 33'and the flange 3| engages: the face ofrthe frame member to locate and. properly-position;

the clip thereon.

Extending substantially perpendicularly from the base portion 3i] is a spacing'webuorhleg 3 L which terminates at its free end ina return-bent or U-shaped spring receiving portion-35. The

free end 36 of this U-shaped portion isri-nclined.

to produce a flair'to facilitate the entrance of a straight portion 12 of 'thespringstripe. In. at-' taching the spring strip to-the clip the straight.

portion l2 thereof next adjacent tothelterminal straight portion is engaged andfulcrumed in the U-shaped spring-receiving -portion. and .the

terminal straight portionrests againstetheflange.

3| providinga nonpivotal: connection-.which re-.

sists deflection of the spring strip.- .adjacent the 1 point of attachment.

In Fig. 6 another form of.=construction-.is illustrated :adapted -\for attachment :to avwooden .web 48 which rests upon the top of the frame ele- 49' extends downwardly at right angles, parallel tothe-outerface of the frame members. The opposite end of the web 48 is reversely bent into a hook 56- to receive a straight portion 52 of a spring strip 52' fhe spring strip 52 is made of wire bent back and forth to provide the loops H joined by straight portion 12, the strip being bent at the ends into V-shape supporting portions 53, A spring element 5% of the same or similar width as the clip portiontl has a flat portion 55 which is disposed beneath the web portion 48 of the clip portion, the element and portion having mating apertures 55 therethrough which nails are driven into the frame elements for retaining the element and clip portion thereon in aligned relation to each other.

The protrudingweb 51 of the element 54 is 5! of the clip portion 41. This arrangement permits the-straight portion E2 to pivot within the hook. Mas the end portion 58 deflects the web 5?.of the spring element 5d. This deflection increases with load and provides additional resiliency to the spring elements 52 which becomes more effectivewith increased loads.

It will be apparent that in all the forms of construction described, the spring endis fulcrumed.

abovethe plane of the frame elementa'and a nonpivotal. mounting is provided which places thespring under'tension-and stresses the spring. strip:so that-a predetermined desired contour is obtained. Also in each case the fulcrum point of the-spring strip is governed by the length of thespacing web or leg which may be varied to suit existing conditions.

W hat. is claimed; is

l. A clip for securing-a spring strip in position on...a..frame element, comprising a base .portion terminating at one edge in an angularly extend- .ing flange adapted to engage a face of the frame element to locate andposition the clip, a reversely bent portion, a spacing web extending substantially perpendicularly to said reversely bent por-- tionabove said-framerelement, saidweb termis nating in a spring-receivinguhookportion for This .forms a ledge i fulcruming the spring strip above its end, said web engaging the terminal portion of the spring strip below the hook to provide a non-pivotal connection which resists deflection of the spring strip adjacent its point of attachment, with the end portion of the strip disposed substantially in a vertical plane.

2. A supporting clip for attaching a spring strip composed of alternate loops joined by straight portions to a frame element, comprising a base portion for attachment to the frame element, a curved spring portion on one end of the base portion, a web connected to said spring portion and extending above the frame element substantially perpendicularly to the base portion, a notched portion on the upper end of said web for receiving a straight portion of the spring strip adjacent its end portion with the web engaging the end portion of the spring strip below said straight portion to provide a non-pivotal connection which resists deflection of the spring strip adjacent its point of attachment while permitting said web to deflect.

3. A supporting clip for attaching a spring strip to a frame element, comprising a base portion for attachment to the frame element, a spacing web extending substantially perpendicularly to said base portion above said element, a resilient connection between said base portion and said spacing web, a spring-receiving hook carried by said web at its upper end for fulcruming the spring strip at a point spaced from its end, and means engaging the end of the spring strip beyond the hook to provide a non-pivotal connection which resists deflection of the spring strip adjacent its point of attachment while maintaining the end of the spring strip in substantially a vertical plane.

4. A supporting clip for attaching a spring strip to a frame element, comprising a base portion for attachment to the frame element, a spacing web extending substantially perpendicularly to said base portion above said element, a substantially U-shaped portion connecting said base portion and said spacing web, a spring-receiving hool; carried by the upper end of said web for fulcrurning the spring strip at a point spaced from its end, and means engaging the terminal portion of the spring strip below the hook to provide a non-pivotal connection which resists deflection of the spring strip the end of which is supported in a substantially vertical plane.

5. A supporting clip for attaching a spring strip to a frame element, comprising a base portion for attachment to the frame element, a spacing web extending substantially perpendicularly to said base portion above said element, a substantially U-shaped portion connecting said base portion and spacing Web and forming a recess at the juncture of said U -shaped portion and spacing web, a spring-receiving hook carried by said web for fulcruming the spring strip at a point spaced from its end, the end of the spring strip below the fulcrum engaging said said recess to provide a non-pivotal connection which resists deflections of the spring strip while supporting the end portion thereof in a substantially vertical plane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,936,720 Kronheim Nov. 28, 1933 2,214,136 Hopkes Sept. 10, 1940 2,217,290 Nordmark Oct. 8, 1940 2,251,049 Haberstump July 29, 1941 2,257,633 Bank Sept. 30, 1941 2,341,419 Bank Feb. 8, 1944 2,512458 Bank Feb. 20, 1951 2,652,885 Engel Sept. 22, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 146,491 Switzerland July 1, 1931 

